ranney



Dec. 29 5925- v w. B. RANNEY SHEET GATHERING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Dec. 13, 1923 1,567,080 w. B. RANNEY SHEET GATHERING MACHINE Dec.29 1925- Filed Dec. 15, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 29, 1925 ,5 ,080

. W. B. RANNEY SHEET GATHERING MACHINE Filed Dec. l3, 1923 5Sheets-Sheet 5 I I I Jl/ w y w Dec. I W. B. RANNEY SHEET GATHERINGMACHINE Filed Dec. 15, 1923 5 Sheets-She et 4 Dec. 29 1925- v w. B.RANNEY swam GATHERING mcnnm Filed. Dec. 13, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 J 72027360); a," $Iliaxuze W, Fm

Patented Dec. 29, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,567,080 PATENT OFFICE.

WILLE'I' B. RANNEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WM. 'WRIGLEY, JR.COM- PANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

SHEET-GATHERING MACHINE.

Application filed December To all whom it may concern Be it known thatI, IL-LET B. RANNEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident ofChicago, in the county of Cook and State '5 of Illinois, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Sheet-Gathering Machines, ofwhich the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in sheet gathering machines, andmore particularly to, machines for piling or stacking sheets ofmaterials, delivered thereto from a continuously operating source of,supply for the purpose of arranging the same for de- 1 livering inconvenient form.

A machine of the general character described is the subject matter ofLetters Patout No. 965,598, granted to A. M. Price, on July 26, 1910.The present invention embodies certain improvements over the machine ofsaid patent, calculated to extend its rangeof usefulness, and provide amore ethcient labor saving device.

Among the improvements incorporated in the present invention are meansfor automatically discharging the sheet pile supporting trays whenfilled to predetermined capacity. This and other features will bedescribed more in detail, in connection with the accom- 30 panyingdrawings in which,

. Figure 1 is a top plan view of the machine showing the generalarrangement of the parts; i

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail new in ver- 85 tical section taken online 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of a carriage with tray removed.

Figure 4 is a view in end elevation of one of the carriages showing thetray elevating l0 mechanism.

Figure 5 is a detail view of a carriage with tray shown in elevatedposition.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail view of the tray elevating mechanismtripping device,

15 in tripping position.

Figure 7 is a similar view of the tripping mechanism showing the partsin normal position.

Figure 8 is a detail view in vertical section, taken on line 8-8 ofFigure 7, and

Figure 9 is a bottom plan view of the tripping mechanism drivingsprocket.

Preliminary to a discussion of the machine, it is to be understood thatit has been especially designed for use in the manufac- 13, 1923. SerialNo 630,307.

ture of chewing gum, although it may be equally well utilized for thepiling of other sheet materials, such as paper, metal and plasticmaterials of all sorts.

As employed in the making of gum, the machine co-operates with asheeting and scoring machine, which functions to reduce the mass of guminto a continuous sheet or strip of uniform thickness, and then scoringthe strip, first into partially severed sheets of predetermined length,and secondly, dividing the sheets into sections defining the individualsticks.

The scoring is accomplished by feeding the sheet between a pair ofrolls, having scoring dies on its surface, and then onto a delivery beltleading to the sheet gathering machine. The cut-ting or severing of thesheets is the result of excessive scoring along transverse lines, atequal intervals which leaves only a thin connecting web which readilygives way when the sheets reach the delivery belt, due to a slightlyincreased speed of the latter.

The connecting element between the sheet-- ing machine and the gatheringmachine is a horizontal belt conveyor 1, along which the scored andsevered sheets A travel with a constant interval therebc-tween.

The discharge end of the delivery belt terminates just above and intangential relation to a circular table-like track 2 forming thestationary element of the gathering machine. The track is a circularplat-form supported on legs 3.

A plurality of tray carrying carriages t, are mounted on the track, thesame consisting of rectangular frames having casters 5 secured to theunder side. These casters are preferably located at three points with a95 single one leading and a pair trailing.

The carriages are spaced circumferentially about the track and travelwith uniform distances between them. The carriages are driven from acommon driving element,co1n- 100 prising a vertical shaft (3 located atthe geometric center of the track and supported in a suitable bearing.At the upper end of the shaftis a fixed head or huh 7, from whichradiate a plurality of arms 8, after 105 the manner of the spokes of awheel, the outer ends of the arms being connected to the carriagesthrough the medium of links 9, extending substantially at right anglesto the arms, and pivotally connected with the 110 carriages near therear inner corners thereof.

The direction of travel of the driving mechanism is counter-lock-wise sothat the link connections tend to pull the carriages and at the sametime provide for a limited radial movement of the carriages as will bepresently discussed.

Referring more in detail to track 2, the same consists of a metallicplate 2 forming the track surface on which the carriages travel, theouter portion being formed to provide a trough 10 for the purpose ofcollecting the waste material.

Extending about the inner periphery of the track is an upstanding flange11 preferably formed integral with the plate 2 forming the tracksurface, said flange being engaged by a pair of guide rollers 12depending from the underside of each carriage 4. The manifest purpose ofthe guide rollers and flange is to keep the carriages on the track andto follow the circular path.

The track has heretofore been described as circular, but it will beobserved that throughout a short portion thereof immediately below thedischarge end of the delivery belt 1, it is provic ed with a straightportion 13, (Figure 1), extending in alignment with the delivery belt ashort distance forwardly and rearwardly of the extremity thereof. Thepurpose of this straight portion is to allow the carriagesto follow astraight line of travel during the interval required for depositing thesheets thereon, and thus insure the symmetrical piling of the sheetsthereon. It is the presence of the straight portion 13 whichmakes itnecessary to provide the flexible connection between the arms 8 and thecarriages, it being apparent that the links permit the slight radialdisplacement of the carriage in negotiating the straight portion of thetrack.

Now referring more in detail to the structure of the carriages 4, itwill be noted that each consists of a body portion or platform 14,having rails 1515 at its forward and rear ends. Secured to the forwardrail 15 and extending rearwardly to a point' above the rear rail 15 is apair of spring rails 1616, terminating in upturned extremities. lheseresilient rails are spaced above the platform 14 and are normallyinclined upwardly from front to rear so that their free ends clear therails 15 at the rear of the platform. On these spring rails 16, 16, areremovably supported trays 17 which are held against horizontaldisplacement, between the upturned ends of the rails 16 and a verticalflange 18 projecting above the rail 15 at the forward end of theplatform 14. The purpose of the resilient supporting rails 16 may beunderstood from the following: The weight of an empty tray deposited onthe carriage, is not sufficient to depress the-rails 16, and hence thetray assumes a slightly elevated position, but as each successive sheetis deposited upon the tray, the increased weight gradually depresses therails, thus lowering the trays, so that the surface upon which thesheets are deposited is maintained at a uniform distance below theconveyor belt, thus insuring the uniform and symmetrical piling of thesheets.

Upon the platform 14 of each carriage is mounted the tray elevatingdevice, consisting of parts as follows: Extending longitudinally of theplatform, and transversely with respect to the track is a pair of rockshafts 1919, each being journalled in brackets'20, 20, secured to theplatform and extending a short distance beyond the lateral marginsthereof, the ends of the brackets being upturned to form the bearings 20for the rock shafts. As clearly shown in Figure 3, one of the rockshafts 20 is located near the forward end of the carriage and the otherjust rearwardly of its center. Each rock shaft carries a pair ofelevating arms 21, 21, located in corresponding positions near the endsthereof. As clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4, the rock shafts arenormally positioned so that the arms lie horizontally and extend towardthe rear of the carriage. Moreover, the rock shafts are connectedtogether so that they move in unison, the connecting elements consistingof parallel. links 2222, fixed to the inner ends of the rock shafts anda cross link 23, connectingthe parallel links. In the position shownthe" links 22, 22, project downwardly and forwardly at an angle of 30 tothe vertical, and are yieldably held in thisposition by means of aspring 24. One

of the links 22, connected with the more central disposed rock shaft 19is extendedbe yond' and below the cross link 23 and forms anarm 25 whichco-acts with certain tripping mechanism hereinafter described foractuatingthe' tray elevating device of each carriage at'a definite pointin their movement about the circular track.

Before entering upon a discussion of the improved features of themachine, it may be well to point outin'a general way the function of themachine as thus far described.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 the carriages 4 with their individual trays17 travel at a predetermined rate of speed about-the circular track andin a counterclockwise direction, the movement or drive being transmittedto the carriage through the medium of the arms 8 radiating from thecentral hub orhead 7 carried upon the vertical shaft 6, the latter beingrotated through the medium of a beveled gear wheel 6 keyed to the shaft6 and meshed with a beveled pinion 26 keyed to a shaft 27 leading from asuitable source of power, such as a motor, or

IOU

preferably the machine with which the sheet gathering apparatusco-operates, since in this way it is possible to maintain a constantrelationship between the speed of travel of the carriages and thedelivery of the sheets from the conveyor 1.

The travel of the carriages about the circular track is so timed that aseach carriage passes beneath the end of the conveyor 1, a sheet of gum Ais deposited on the tray 17 thereof. In this manner the sheets aredistributed on to successive trays inthe form of piles, the trays beingin readiness for removal when a certain num ber of sheets have been thusdistributed. Heretofore the loaded trays were removed from the carriagesby operators and empty trays placed on the carriages.

In the improved machine the trays are automatically lifted from thecarriages and delivered on to a discharge track when loaded, therebyreducing materially the number of operators required, in fact, it is nowpossible for a single operator to attend to the machine.

The discharge. track 28 above alluded to, is located just above thecarriages and extend-s horizontally and tangentially from a point beyondthe delivery end of the sheet conveyor 1. As clearly shown in Figures 1and 2 the delivery track consists of a plurality of rollers 29journalled at their ends in a pair of parallel angle bars 30, 30,supported upon the floor or suspended from the ceiling as is mostconvenient. The vertical space between the track 28 and the carriages issufficient to permit the trays to pass just beneath the end of the trackas clearly shown in Figure 2.

As has already been explained, the trays rest upon the spring rails 16,beneath which lie the elevating arms 21, 21, in the position shown inFigure 4. Now let it be assumed that one of the carriages has receivedits load of sheets and the tray is ready to be removed.

Referring to Figure 5 the manner in which the tray 17 is lifted orelevated from the carriage and on to the discharge track 28 is clearlyshown. In the first place, it is to be assumed that the carriage isapproaching the end of the delivery track, traveling from right to left.If, at this instant the depending arm strikes an obstruction in itspath, such as a cam plate 33, the rock shafts 19 are rotated, thusswinging the arms 21 to an upright posi tion, and elevating the trayabove the level of the discharge track. The tray, thus elevated, istransferred onto the track 28, the lifting arms 21 being then depressedto their normal position by the release of the actuating arm 25 and theaction of the spring 241-. Ordinarily the momentum of the trays as theyare transferred to the track is sufficient to carry them toward the farend of the track, thus permitting the succeeding tray or trays to besimilarly discharged on to the track.

The cam plate 33, mentioned in connection with the arm 25, is located onthe inner surface. of the guide rail 11, at the point, at which thetrays are elevated preparatory to being delivered on to the track 28,Figures 2, 4, and 5. Moreover, the cam plate lies in the path of thedepending actuating arms 25 of the carriages, although the latter are soformed as to pass the plate without contact, inasmuch as each carriagemust pass this plate a number of times without having its traydischarged. For this reason, each arm 25 is bent or shaped to provide aU- shaped portion 25 and an inwardly offset end portion 25* which isnormally positioned to pass beneath the cam plate 33 while the U-shapedportion passes to the inside of the same as clearly shown in Figures andi. Thus, as long as the arms 25 are maintained at the angle of about tothe vertical and inclined in a forward normal inclination of say 30 tothe vertical, the elevating devices are inoperative. However, if the arm25 of any carriage is swung rearwardly so as to bring the end. portion25 in line with the cam plate at the instant before the arm reaches theplate, this displacement is suflicient to cause the arm to strike theforward edge of the cam plate and carry the end along the top face ofthe plate, as clearly shown in Figure 3, thereby actuating the elevatingdevice and discharging the tray in the manner already described. Themeans for displacing or tripping the actuating arms 25, so as to operatethe elevating devices will now be described.

Located intermediate the track and central shaft 6 and substantially inradial alignment with the cam plate 3 is a vertical standard carrying atits upper end a sprocket wheel 35 in driving connection with the shaft 6through the medium of the sprocket chain 36 engaging a sprocket pinion3. keyed to the shaft (3 immediately below th head 7. Extending radiallyfrom the standard 31- and in the direction of the cam plate 33 is an arm38 supporting an endwise movable plunger rod 39, the outer end of saidarm being bent upwardly to form a bearing 40, for the forward or outerend of said plunger rod. Mounted upon the rear end portion of theplunger rod 30 is a sleeve 4-1 having a collar d2 secured at its outerend and serving as a stop member for one end of a coil spring 43surrounding the adiacent end of the sleeve and bearing at its other endagainst a bearing member at secured to the arm 38. Near the forward endof the sleeve -l1 is mounted a block d1 which carries a cam roller 45 atits upper end. Formed in the sleeve 41 is a slot 46 extending axiallyfrom its forward edge to the block 41 A collar 47 is se cured to theplunger rod 39 near its central portion and forms an abutment foranother coil spring 48, surrounding the rod between said collar and thebearing member 40 at the forward end of the arm 38. The plunger rod 39and the sleeve 41 are actuated by means of cams 49 and 50, mounted onthe underside of the sprocket wheel 35 and in the horizontal plane ofthe cam roller 45. The cams rotating with the sprocket wheel 35,intermittently strike the roller, thereby imparting endwise movement tothe sleeve 41 and the plunger rod 39, the free end of the latter beingprojected into the path of the arms 25 of the tray elevating devices.Means are also provided to permit the sleeve to move freely on theplunger rod, in order to render the latter inoperative as will presentlybe described.

The cams 49 and 50' (Figs. 6 and 9) are pivotally mounted atdiametrically opposed points near the periphery of said sprocket wheeland are provided with radial arms 49" and 50 extending inwardly towardthe axis of the sprocket wheel and connected at their ends'with coilsprings 51 attached to the underside of the sprocket wheel 35. Stopmembers F2 are also mounted on the under side of this sprocket wheelwhich engage the inward ejecting arms of the cam dogs and act to limittheir rotative move" ment in. one direction. Thus, if in Figure 9, thesprocket wheel is assumed to rotate in a clockwise direction the camsare held against rotation, but if in the operation of the machine thesprocket wheel should rotate in an opposite direction the cams onstriking the roller 45 are swung around theirpivot points and ride overthe roller without moving the sleeve 41.

The edges of the cams projecting beyond the periphery of the sprocketwheel 35 coact with the cam roller 45, to shift the sleeve 41 endwise,the movement thereof being of the same extent in both cases, althoughthe period that the sleeve is held in shifted position is greater whenengaged by the cam 50, due to the increased length of the radial orouter face of this cam. The purpose of this arrangement will presentlybe explained. Y

Assuming that the main shaft 6 is rotating at a predetermined speed, thesprocket wheel 35 is driven therefrom and rotates at a speed bearing adefinite ratio to that of said shaft 6. As the machine herein disclosedis designed, this ratio of speed is 2 to l,that is to say, the sprocketwheel 35 makes one revolution for every 2 revolutions of the main shaft(3. Moreover, during each revolution of the sprocket wheel 35 both cams49 and 50 are brought into contact with the roller 45 to actuate theplunger rod 39. Referring first to Figure 7 it is to be observed thatthe plunger rod 39 is in retracted position, as is the sleeve 41, bothbeing positively carried to the retracted position by the action oftheir-respective coil springs 48 and 43. In retracted position the outerend of the plunger rod 39 is spaced a short distance from the edge ofthe cam plate 33 carried by the guide rail-'11 of the track, so thatasthe carriages pass, the actuating arms 25, associated with theelevating mechanism of each carriage, passes freely between'the camplate 33 and the end of the plunger rod.

By reference to Figure 6, it will'be seen that as the sprocket wheel 35revolves, one of the cams, say 49, strikes the cam roller 45 and in sodoing shifts the sleeve 41 and the plunger rod 39 forward, therebycarrying the end of the plunger rod into the path of the depending leverarms 25 of the carriages so that as the approaching carriage comesopposite the tripping mechanismits arm 25 strikes the end of the plungerrod, thereby elevating its lower extremity so that it comes in contactwith the forward edge of the cam plate 33 causing it to ride up on itstop surface, thereby bringing about the actuation of the elevatingmechanism in the manner shown in Figure 5.

It is further manifest that if the plunger rod is held in its advancedposition for a sufficient length of time, the tray elevating mechanismof more than one carriage may be tripped. Thus, the cam 49 is sodesigned that its radial face engages the cam roller 4-5 for a period oftime sufficient to affect the tripping of a single carriage, whereas,the cam 50 having a circumferential face substantially twice the lengthof that of thedog 49, will hold the plunger rodin extended position fora period of time suflicient to trip two successive carriages, hence itfol.- lows that during one revolution of the sprocket wheel 35 andtherefore during 2 4 complete revolutions of the carriages about thetrack, three carriages will be -tripped,- first one and then twocarriages being tripped alternately during the successive circuits.

This ratio between the speeds of the carriages and the intervalbetween'the tripping of the carriages is worked out so as to secure anaccurate distribution of the sheets upon the carriages. Thus, if thereare twelve carriages and each carriage is to receive a pile of ninesheets, by removing alternate one and two trays during approximatelyeach circuit of the carriages, it follows that each tray as it receivesits last sheet, will be immediately thereafter discharged. ltlanifestlydifferent carriages are tripped during each circuit, the wholearrangement being worked out on a mathematical basis in which thevarious factors are considered;

III

It may be. explained that it is desirable, if not necessary thatprovision be made so that the machine can operate for a certain lengthof time after it is started in motion with empty trays thereon, beforethe automatic removal of trays is commenced. Hence provision is made forallowing the sleeve ll to move freely on the plunger rod, withoutactuatingthe latter. As is clearly shown in Figures 6' and 7, a pin 52projects radially from the plunger rod 39 immediately adjacentthe'forward end of the sleeve 41. Manifestly, if the pin is positionedso as to register with the slot 4C6 in the sleeve ll and said sleeve isadvanced endwise, with each engagement of the cams a9 and with theroller 45' thereof, that the sleeve will merely slide upon the plungerrod 39 without imparting any movement thereof. In other words, so longas the pin registers with the slot 46 as shown in Figure 7, the plungerrod remains immovable and inoperative. However, ifthe pin is shifted bya slight rotation of the plunger rod, so that it is thrown out ofalignment of the slot 46, the forward edge of the sleeve mustnecessarily abut against the base of the pin and that each displacementof the sleeve by the cams, asimilar displacement is transmitted to theplunger rod 39 as shown in Figure 6. Means are therefore employed forshifting the pin through the slight angle necessary to move it to or outof alignment with the slot 46.

This mechanism is mounted upon an upright support 53 extending from thefloor to the underside of the supporting arm 38 intermediate its endsand consisting of a plate 54 having a transverse slot 55 near its upperend through which the pin 52 extends. At the center of the plate 5% is alongitudinal slot 56 through which extends a supporting pin 57 anchoredin the upright Thus the plate is free to rotate through a limited angleabout the supporting pin 57 and to be shifted lengthwise in a verticaldirection. Extending'along the floor and from the base of the upright 53to a point outwardly beyond the track a rock shaft 58 suitablyjournalled at its ends in bearing 59 supported upon blocks 60. At theouter end of the; shaft is mounted a foot pedal 61 and at its-innerend acrank arm 62 connected to the lower edge of the plate 5.4 by means of aconnecting rod 63. Surrounding the conneating rod is a compressionspring 64 abutting atjits upper end against a block 65,

forming the intermediate connecting mem ber between the 0011116013111rod 63 and the b platens, sald spring act ng as a compression member to.hold the crank arm 62 in depressed position. A tension spring 66 islikewise connected to the lower end of the bloc/1:65 and extendsvertically downwardly and attached at a point-near the floor, If

it is desired to interrupt the tripping action the operator presses onthe foot pedal 61 in such a way as to swing the plate in a clockwisedirection, thus rotating the plate 54 slightly and at the same timesliding the plate 5% upwardly and carrying the pin into alignment withthe slot 46, as is clearly shown in Figure 8. So long as the plate 5+1:remains in this position the tripping mechanism will not function butimmediately upon pressing the foot pedal to shift the parts in anopposite direction the plate will be moved in to the position shown inFigure 6, thereby carrying the pin out of alignment with the slot andthe tripping mechanism will function as before explained.

Provision is also made for altering the angular displacement of thecarriages, so as to regulate the timing of the tripping events. Mountedat the upper end of the shaft 6 and rotating therewith is a block 68extending radially thereto. Extending at right angles to the block 68 isa horizontal shaft 69 having a hand wheel (39 at its free end. Mountedupon the head or hub 7, is a bearing 70, in which the shaft turnsfreely, but is held against endwise movement. Moreover, the inner end ofthe shaft has screw threaded connections with the block. The hub 7although designed to rotate with the shaft 6, has a limited relativemovement on the shaft, thus by turning the shaft 69 in either direction,the hub 7 as well as the arms 8 and carriages i, can be shiftedangularly in a limited degree, thus providing for small adjustmentsoften necessary to insure the accurate feeding of the sheets on to thetrays.

Having described the features embodying the invention, I claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, the combination with sheetdelivery means, of sheet gathering means moving continuously in anendless path and adapted to have a sheet deposited thereon from saiddelivery means at a given point of each circuit of said path, and meansacting automatically to remove said sheets from said gathering meansafter a predetermined number of circuits.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination of sheetdelivery means, of sheet gathering means adapted to, travel in anendless path to receive a sheet from said delivery means, convey saidsheet through a circuit f said path, and to repeatedly present sa dsheet to said delivery means to have successive sheets deposited uponsaid first sheet, and means acting automatically to remove said sheetsfrom said gathering means after a predetermined number have beendeposited.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination with sheetdelivery means, of sheet gathering means moving in an end- V less pathand adapted to repeatedly present a plurality of sheet receiving membersonto which successive sheets are deposited from said delivery meansduring each circuit of said path, and means acting automatically toremove the sheets from said receiving members after each of the samehave made a predetermined number of circuits of said path.

4. In a machine of the character described,

the combination with sheet delivery means,

of sheet gathering means comprising an endless sheet receiving membermoving continuously in an endless path beneath the delivery means, andadapted to have sheets deposited thereon from said delivery means at agiven point in each circuit of the path thereof and means operatingautomatically to lift the sheets from said receiving member after apredetermined number have been deposited and delivering the sametherefrom.

5. In a machine of the character described, the combination with sheetdelivery means, of sheet gathering means comprising an endless sheetreceiving member moving continuously in a substantially circular pathbeneath the delivery means, and adapted to have sheets deposited thereonin uniformly spaced piles, means for automatically elevating said pilesfrom said receiving member after a predetermined number of sheets havebeen deposited on each pile, and a stationary receiving member in thepath of the elevated iles.

p 6. In a machine of the character described, the combination of sheetdelivery means, a carriage adapted to travel in an endless path passingbeneath the end of said sheet delivery means and adapted to have sheetsde posited thereon, a track mounted adjacent to and in alignment withthe path of said carriage, means operated automatically for shiftingsaid sheets bodily from said carriage, and means in the path of theshifted sheets for removing the same from the moving carriage.

7. In a machine of the character described the combination with sheetdelivery means, an endless track passing beneath the discharge end ofsaid delivery means, a series of sheet receiving elements movable onsaid track and adapted to have sheets deposited thereon, discharge trackmounted above the path o f said receiving elements, and means actingautomatically to elevate the sheets on predetermined receiving elements,whereby said sheets are transferred onto said track in the passage ofsaid receiving elements thereunder.

8. In a machine of the character described, the combination with sheetdelivery means, of a series of sheet gathering elements movable in anendless path passing beneath the end of said delivery means comprisingremovable trays adapted to have sheets deposited thereon, a trayreceiving track adjacent the path of said sheet gathering elements,means carried by said sheet gathering elements and operative to elevatesaid trays and mechanism operative .to actuate said tray elevating meansat predetermined intervals and means for receiving said trays inelevated position.

9. In a machine of the character described, the combination of anendless track, a plurality of carrages mounted on said track, means forpropelling said carriages, trays removably mounted on said carriages,means for depositing sheets successively on said trays, means forelevating said trays relative to said carriage, means for receiving saidtrays in elevated position and means for actuating said elevatingdevices.

10. In a machine of the character described, the combination with sheetdelivery means, of a carriage adapted to travel in an endless pathpassing beneath said delivery means, a tray carried by said carriage,tray elevating mechanism mounted on said carriage comprising anactuating lever, a tripping member in the path of said arm and means forshifting said arm and tripping member relative to each other to eifectthe actuating of said elevating mechanism.

11. In a machine of the character described, the combination with sheetdelivery means, of a carriage supported upon an endless track passingbeneath said delivery means, means for propelling said carriage, a traymounted on said carriage, a rocker arm mounted on said carriage beneathsaid tray, a lever operatively connected with said rocker arm, a leveractuating member l0cated adjacent the path of said lever and means forshifting said lever into a position to'engage said lever actuatingmember.

12. In a machine of the character described, the combination of sheetdelivery means, a substantially circular track passing beneath the pointof delivery of said sheet delivery means, a plurality of carriagesmounted on said track, means for propelling said carriages, traysremovably mounted on said carriages, tray shifting devices mounted oneach carriage, and comprising levers projecting from said carriages, alever actuating member mounted in the path of said levers, the latterbeing normally positioned to pass said fixed actuating member andtripping mechanism operative to shift said levers into position toengage said actuating member.

13. In a machine of the characterdescribed, the combination of sheetdelivery 'means, a plurality of carriages traveling on an endless trackpassing beneath the delivery end of said delivery means, trays carriedby said carriages, a discharge trackhaving one end above said track,tray elevating devices mounted on said carriages, and tripping mechanismoperative to trip said elevating devices whereby said trays are elevatedfor transfer onto said discharge track.

14. In a machine of the character de scribed, the combination of sheetdelivery means, a carriage adapted to travel in an endless path passingbeneath the delivery end of said sheet delivery means, a tray carried bysaid carriage and adapted to have sheets deposited thereon. a dischargetrack mounted above the path of said carriage, rocker arms journalled onsaid carriage and adapted to engage the bottom of said tray, a leveroperatively connected with said rocker arms, and tripping mechanismcomprising a member adapted to be projected into the path of said lever,whereby said arms are actuated to lift said tray above the carriage fortransfer on to said discharge track as said carriage passestherebeneath.

15. In a machine of the character described, the combination with sheetdelivery means, an endless track passing beneath the discharge end ofsaid delivery means, a plurality of carriages 011 said track, a driveshaft operatively connected with said carriages, trays removably mountedon said carriages, tray elevating devices mounted on said carriagescomprising an actuating lever depending therefrom, a cam membermountedon said track in the path of said levers, the latter being normallypositioned to pass said plate without contact, and tripping mechanismoperative from said drive shaft and comprising a tripping member,adapted to be moved into the path of said lever for shifting the sameinto position to engage said cam member.

16. In a machine of the character described, the combination with sheetdelivery conveyor, a substantially circular track pass ing beneath thedelivery end of said delivery conveyor, a plurality of carriages mountedto travel about said track, carriage propelling means comprising a driveshaft operatively connected with said carriages, trays remov" ablymounted on said carriages, a discharge track above the path of saidcarriages, tray elevating means carried by said carriages and comprisinglevers depending adjacent the track, a cam plate adjacent the receivingend of said discharge track, said levers be ing shaped to normally passthe cam plate,

and tripping mechanism comprising an endwise movable member, and arotative cam member in driving connection with said drive shaft,operative to trip said levers, whereby the same are shifted intoposition to be actuated by said cam plate.

17. In a machine of the character described, the combination with sheetdelivery conveyor, a substantially circular track passing beneath thedelivery end of said delivery conveyor, a plurality of carriages mountedto travel about said track carriage propelling means comprising a driveshaft operatively connected with said carriages, trays removably mountedon said carriages above the path of said carriages. tray elevatingmedium carried by said carriages and comprising levers dependingadjacent the track, a cam plate mounted on said track adjacent thereceiving end of said discharge track, said levers having an offset endportion adapted in the normal positions thereof to pass the cam piatewithout contact, and tripping mechanism comprising an endwise shiftablerod provided with a cam engaging member, a rotative cam in drivingconnection with said drive shaft, and adapted to engage the ram memberof said rod, to shift the end of the same into the path of said levers,whereby said levers are tripped to engage said cam plate.

18. In a machine of the character described, the combination of sheetdelivery means, a substantially circular track passing beneath the pointof delivery, a plurality of carriages mounted on said track, means forpropelling said carriages, trays removably mounted on said carriages,tray elevating devices mounted on each carriage, each comprisinganactuating lever, and means for tripping said levers, comprising anendwise shiftable rod, a sleeve slidable on said rod. means for shiftingsaid sleeve endwise at predetermined intervals, and normally controlledmeans for connecting and disconnecting said sleeve and rod.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 27th day ofNovember, A. D.

IVILLET B. RANNEY.

